I was also going to propose.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with a huge meal in the loft. There was love and laughter in the room, created by a bind that I never expected. Lindsay glowed having her favorite people around, staying in various rooms with them through the week. It gave us a great break and some alone time, since Rosie was visiting friends. Making Soledad scream my name was one of my finest accomplishments as I took her hard and deep.
I couldn’t wait to do it in a house. I wanted a big bedroom with a view and some privacy. I wanted it to be peaceful for Soledad as well as our own little space to enjoy each other thoroughly. It was so hard to look on my own but there was a whole plan around it and she had the final say. Most of the leg work was done online and I’d look with the excuse of having a meeting. Soledad was my assistant and I’d see the look on her face when I t
old her where I was going.
Everyone was in on it and I saw a lot of knowing smiles over the week we spent together. I hoped that Soledad didn’t notice, and she seemed to be busy with everyone, oblivious to what was going on right under her nose.
We were on our own for a bit after the week and I held Soledad in bed and listened to the quiet. Lindsay was passed out in her room and Soledad smiled at me. “It was a great week. I haven’t had a holiday like that in a long time.”
“I loved it. Christmas will be even better.” I had a shopping list for Lindsay that Soledad protested, telling me that we didn’t have enough room for it all. I came back with the fact that she was always watching money and never had the chance to go crazy. I won. We started shopping online as soon as Thanksgiving was over, so we could get everything wrapped.
I bought the diamond two weeks before Christmas. It was a delicate band with small stones around the finger and a square one carat solitaire. The ring was beautiful and had a similar band for the wedding. It would look amazing on Soledad’s hand and I tucked it back in my closet for later before she came in for bed.
We were set to celebrate with everybody. Our tree was large and decorated with colorful lights and vibrant colored ornaments. We bought it all this year, but I looked forward to the ornaments that Lindsay would make us in school. I looked forward to the memories we’d create. For now, we had presents piled underneath for family and an exciting Christmas morning for Lindsay. Rosie had a lot hidden in her room for us since Lindsay went in there the least. I never knew how stressful it was having a child on Christmas until now and Soledad did everything she could to distract me. She had no idea what she was in store for, but I stared at my closet every time we were together in our room.
I walked into the apartment the night before everyone was set to arrive, smiling at the lights and decorations. It was a combination of the tastes of Soledad and Lindsay, but I could admit it looked beautiful. I’d never decorated before, choosing to visit my mom and sister every year in the past. I took the least time off that I could, so I could rush back to the office. I never knew what I was missing until now. I gave the staff two weeks paid holiday leave so everyone could enjoy time with their families, shocking Brent. He went as far as to feel my forehead, asking if I was feeling okay.
I told him to fuck off and have a good Christmas.
Lindsay and Rosie were making cookies as I walked in with Soledad. She laughed and walked in to see what all the fuss was about as I loosened my tie with one hand, dropping the keys on the table with the other. It smelled sweet in here and I stepped to the entrance of the room to see flour everywhere. “Alex!” Lindsay cried out as I looked at her.
“You are a mess, little Lind.” I laughed as she came to hug me. I knew that I would now be a mess but didn’t care. This was my world now.
We got the cookies baked and stored before having some homemade turkey noodle soup for dinner. Everyone was flying in tomorrow and checking into their rooms before coming over. Christmas was in a week, but we had plans around the city before then, one of them being the proposal.
Rosie cleaned up after dinner and we went to watch a Christmas movie in the living room. I grew up watching a few and wanted to introduce them to Lindsay. We all fell asleep on the couch and I woke up with a blanket over me, knowing that Rosie did it. That was the reason that she was going to be living in an apartment on the lower level of the house. We loved her and quite frankly, we needed her.
Everything was going to be perfect.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Soledad
Everything was crazy once the families arrived. More presents were piled around our tree and I felt like we ate every five minutes. We did a lot of holiday events in the city for Lindsay and she beamed through all of them. God, I loved making her happy this way
Alex suggested a drive one evening and I looked at him across the bedroom. “Where?”
“We could grab some dinner and have a relaxing night. Maybe go and see some lights.” He shrugged, and I pulled my hair up. We hadn’t done too much today and that could be fun.
“Have you run this idea by anyone else?” I asked as he told me he’d do that now. I was wearing worn jeans and a pink cashmere sweater after a lazy day and stretched, thinking how great a nap sounded. I’d been tired lately. Working so much and Lindsay was exhausting enough in itself but I had news for Alex.
“They’re in, baby. Let’s take the big SUV,” he said from the door as I glanced at him.
“I’ll get my boots on.” I smiled and sat down to pull the soft, warm shoes over my jeans. I was happy now beyond my wildest dreams. I had almost everything I wanted and wanted to tell him everything as a Christmas gift in addition to the ones under the tree. I walked out to see everyone slipping on jackets, hats, and scarves as Alex held my thick gray coat up. He’d already suited Lindsay up and she took my hand as we walked down to the garage. I got into the front as Mom got Lindsay in before slipping into the back with Stan. Alli and Jane took the seats beside my daughter and I smiled back at them as Alex started the car.
Christmas music played as we drove. Lindsay sang along, and I chuckled as I gazed back, melting at seeing her so happy. Was she amped up more tonight? It was probably just the excitement and I reached for Alex as I turned back around. He drove through the city and seemed to ease into a neighborhood that overlooked the water. There were a lot of lights out here all over the houses and I smiled as I pointed them out to Lindsay. I imagined how pretty it was when the sun was out as I looked at the settling sun on the horizon. “It’s gorgeous out here,” I murmured as Alex squeezed my hand.
He drove around the corner, pulling into a driveway as I frowned. This house didn’t have Christmas lights on the outside, but it was lit up inside. I looked around and then in the back, seeing a lot of curious looks. “What are we doing here?” I asked as I looked at Alex. He was serious as he gazed back at me.
“Come inside.” He got out and took my hand as he pulled me from the SUV. I glanced back to see everyone else slowly doing the same as he walked me towards the door. There was a large white light hanging above the large stained-glass door and he pushed it open as I stared at him.
“Alex?” I let him take me inside and looked around. The lights were dim, but I could see the beautiful sunken living room lit with several candles. It was an open room with a big kitchen and my mouth dropped open as I turned to face him. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Do you like it?” He asked as I cupped his face.
“It’s gorgeous. I can only imagine what it must look like during the day.” Like the loft, it had several windows that looked over the water and the orange and pink of the sunset.